Thresher Shark Dive

Malapascua Island, Philippines

Thresher Sharks are named for their exceptionally long, thresher-like tail (which can be as long as the total body length). Thresher sharks are active predators and use their tail as a weapon to stun prey. It has a short head, cone shaped nose. The bigeye thresher found here at Malapascua can reach a length of 4.9 m (16 ft.). The thresher in this video has a body of approximately 6 ft plus tail for a total of 12 ft.

The threshers at Malapascua are only viewed by divers in the morning. They come up from deep water during the night to cleaning stations then return to the deep water after the sun comes up. The dive boats leave at 5am to travel the 40 minute journey out to the cleaning stations.

Many thanks to Wilbert Arriesgado our dive guide for the week at Thresher Shark Divers for his expert advice and keen eye. http://www.malapascua-diving.com/